Franklin Matters

Wednesday, November 13, 2019

In the News: Franklin Police - no shave November; Assumption College to change to University

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"Officers from Franklin, Hopedale, Medway, Bellingham, Millis and Upton police departments are participating in the Home Base No Shave campaign in support of Home Base, a Red Sox Foundation and Massachusetts General Hospital Program.

Traditionally, police departments have a grooming policy where officers must remain clean-shaven. However, for November, police officers have pledged $100 to forego the traditional grooming policy and grow beards, mustaches and goatees to support Home Base and its mission to provide no-cost clinical care to Veterans and Military Families impacted by the invisible wounds, such as post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain injury.

The movement is spearheaded by MBTA Transit Police and Boston Gang Unit Detective Kurt Power, a U.S. Army Veteran and Purple Heart recipient who sought care for his own invisible wounds at Home Base."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20191112/area-police-departments-to-participate-in-home-base-no-shave-campaign

"Ben Franklin and the Franklin Police Department are once again participating in No Shave November"

"Assumption College received approval from the state to become a university and will do so next year, according to an internal memo school leadership sent on Wednesday.

In that message, President Francesco Cesareo said Assumption’s Restructuring Implementation Committee will prepare for that “historic transition” over the next year.

“There’s a lot of work to be done before we can actually turn the switch,” he said in an interview with the Telegram & Gazette, including the development of a “unifying visual identity” for the renamed school, which enrolls around 2,500 students."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20191110/assumption-college-gets-states-approval-to-become-university

Find out more about Assumption at https://www.assumption.edu/

Note: I graduated from Assumption College in 1976 with an English major and Education minor.

Franklin Democrats demonstration scheduled for Sat, Nov 16

The Franklin Democrats will demonstrate again next Saturday, Nov. 16, between 10:00 AM and noon at the intersection of East Central and Emmons Streets, in front of Piezoni's Restaurant. (Rain day is Sunday.)

The theme of this month's demonstration is "Impeachment At Last?" with special thanks to Nancy Pelosi, to a courageous whistleblower, and to patriotic witnesses who have respected congressional subpoenas.

As before, people can make signs next Saturday or just show up.

Colin Cass for the Franklin Democratic Town Committee

Franklin Democrats demonstration scheduled for Sat, Nov 16

Tuesday, November 12, 2019

Live reporting: Consent Agenda through to Closing

VII. Consent Agenda
A. Approval of Minutes
I recommend approval of the minutes from the October 29, 2019 School Committee meeting as detailed.

separated from other items on the consent agenda as only two members were present
motion to accept, seconded, passed 2-0-5 (2 for, none against, 5 abstained)

B. Athletics Gift
I recommend acceptance of a check for $2,734.00 from Five Star Franchises, LLC (Jersey Mike’s) for FHS Athletics Department as detailed.
C. Parmenter Gift
I recommend acceptance of a check for $2,051.30 from the Parmenter PCC for field trips as detailed.
D. Keller Gift
I recommend acceptance of a check for $1,700.58 from O’Connor Studios for supplemental supplies at Keller Elementary School as detailed.
E. Scholarship
I recommend acceptance of a check for $10,000.00 from the John C & Eunice B Morrison Charitable Foundation for a Scholarship as detailed.

motion to accept, seconded, passed 7-0

VIII. Payment of Bills
for next time

IX. Payroll
for next time

X. Adjournment

motion to adjourn, seconded, passed 7-0

The agenda and other documents released in advance of the meeting can be found on the School Committee page https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/november-12-2019-school-committee-packet

Note - other documents are added after the meeting (usually during the Wednesday business day).

Live reporting: Discussion - Action Items

III. Discussion/Action Items
A. Policy – 2nd Reading
I recommend adoption of the following policies as discussed:
a) KF – Community Use of School Facilities
b) KF – E1 – Rules and Regulations
c) KF – E2 – FHS Building Use
d) KF – E4 – FHS Fee Schedule

Facilities policy changes moved to approve after clarification questions on estimate costing for facility use #SchComm1112
— Steve Sherlock (@FranklinMatters) November 13, 2019

IV. Discussion Only Items

V. Information Matters
A. School Committee Sub-Committee Reports (e.g. Budget, Community Relations/Public Schools Advocacy, Policy, Transportation, Ad Hoc Superintendent Evaluation, Ad Hoc Davis Thayer Facility Analysis)
B. School Committee Liaison Reports (e.g. Joint PCC, Substance Abuse Task Force, SWAC)

overview of the committee and liaison positions provided, those with interest let Chair know so allocations can be made

VI. New Business
A. To discuss any future agenda items

up for next meeting - school finances, including capital budget before it goes to the Finance Committee and Town Council for discussion and decision
Survey results possible for next time; only have the preliminary data now and awaiting release of 'final' data; if not ready, this will slide to a future meeting; survey covers cultural climate of school from 4, 5, 8, and 10 grader perspectives

The agenda and other documents released in advance of the meeting can be found on the School Committee page https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/november-12-2019-school-committee-packet

Note - other documents are added after the meeting (usually during the Wednesday business day).

Live reporting: School Committee - Nov 12, 2019

Present:D'Angelo, Keenen, Pfeffer, Scofield, Bergen, Spencer, Stokes
Absent: none

Will be tweeting from the #SchComm1112 meeting tonight, new committee - organization (selecting Chair and Vice Chair ) up first
— Steve Sherlock (@FranklinMatters) November 13, 2019

Organizational Meeting:
• Election of Chair
• Election of Vice Chair

#SchComm1112 Bergan voted as Chair, Spencer nominated (not seconded), Scofield nominated, seconded and elected ViceChair
— Steve Sherlock (@FranklinMatters) November 13, 2019

I. Routine Business
A. Review of Agenda
no changes

B. Citizen’s Comments
no one other than myself in the audience (after family of student for pledge left)

In the spirit of open communication, “the Committee will hold a public
participation segment (also called Citizen’s Comments) about matters not related to an agenda item at the beginning of each regular School Committee meeting. The Committee will listen to, but not respond to any comment made….

A Committee member may add an agenda item to a future meeting as a result of a citizen comment….

The Committee will hear public comments related to an agenda item when the Chair deems appropriate during the Committee meeting. Topics for discussion during the meeting must be limited to those items listed on the Committee meeting agenda for that evening…. ” - from Policy BEDH

C. FHS Student Representative Comments

D. Superintendent’s Report

emergency busing notice posted
link to Superintendent's report to be added

II. Guests/Presentations - none

The agenda and other documents released in advance of the meeting can be found on the School Committee page https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/november-12-2019-school-committee-packet

Note - other documents are added after the meeting (usually during the Wednesday business day).

L-R front : D'Angelo, Pfeffer, Scofield; L-R Back Keenen, Bergen, Spencer, Stokes

Franklin Public Schools: Emergency Bus Service Due to Cold Forecasted Temps

Tuesday, November 12, 2019

Dear Franklin Families,

Due to the forecast for frigid temperatures and cold wind chills this evening and early morning and the potential for lingering icy spots on roads and sidewalks, the Franklin Public Schools will be utilizing emergency busing tomorrow morning, Wednesday, November 13, 2019. Students who do not normally ride the bus who are walking or waiting along the route will be picked up by our drivers.

We do not anticipate a need for emergency busing in the afternoon.

Please take steps to appropriately prepare for tomorrow's weather. Boots or appropriate footwear, warm coats, hats and gloves or mittens will be critical in the morning hours.

Sincerely,

The Franklin Public Schools

Franklin Public Schools: Emergency Bus Service Due to Cold Forecasted Temps

School Transportation info https://www.franklinps.net/district/transportation

New storm water utlility fee proposal - Town Council meeting Nov 13

New storm water utility fee ("tax") proposal up for discussion at the Town Council meeting on Wednesday, Nov 13, 2019.

Given this is in response to questionable EPA requirements (#1), given the EPA regulation process is potential revised (#2) Why are we doing this?

#1